Paced by freshman Marissa Morris and sophomore Emily Huffer, the Oak Harbor swim team finished second in the district meet at Marysville-Pilchuck High School Saturday, Nov. 3.

Morris won two events and Huffer set a pair of school records. In all, four Wildcats and all three of their relays qualified for this week's state meet at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9 and 10.

The top three finishers in each district race earned state berths; others picked up spots by meeting qualifying times.

Defending champion Shorewood flashed its depth -- it won two relays but no individual events -- by winning the meet with 517 points. Oak Harbor finished with 443 points in the 11-team meet; Meadowdale was a distant third with 291.5.

Morris won the 200- (2:02.2) and 500-yard (5:28.82) races.

Huffer placed second in the 100 butterfly (58.59) and 100 backstroke (59.14) to establish new OHHS marks.

Akasha Trisler, who competed at state as a sophomore but missed last season with an injury, returns to state with a third-place finish in the 200 individual medley (2:20.06). She also recorded a qualifying time while placing fourth in the 100 breaststroke (1:11.9).

Hannah Schroeder swam third in the 500 (5:38.14) and earned a state slot.

Coach Amy Merkley said she hasn't decided which swimmers will make up the three relay teams at state, but candidates are Huffer, Trisler, Morris, Mollie Briddell, Emily Schroeder, Lauren Vagt, Nicole Vogt and Irysh Concepcion.

At district, Huffer, Therese Desquitado, Trisler and Morris placed third in the 200 free relay (1:44.43), while Morris, Briddell, Trisler and Huffer placed third in the 400 free relay (3:52.63).

Desquitado, Emily Schroeder, Vagt and Briddell placed fourth in the 200 medley relay (1:59.76). The medley relay clocked a state qualifying time earlier in the season.

Merkley said, "The girls were very determined to do well at districts. They knew what they needed to do and they stayed focused on their goals."

Trisler and Desquitado are the only seniors who scored points at district for the young Oak Harbor team.

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